Gitzo Loc: Indiana

The author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in prison ministry. The man who walks with God always gets to his destination. If you have a pulse you have a purpose.

The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States , especially in the minority races.

I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who each explained their beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Muslim gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Muslim and asked: 'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?'

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied,

'Non-believers!'

I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?'

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.'

He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine The Pope commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!'

The Muslim was speechless.

I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question:

Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?'

You could have heard a pin drop.

Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing with the Islamic Imam, and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President.

I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on! This is your chance to make a difference.

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

Interesting; AND SCARY!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I've read this before in other contexts but yes, this is accurate.

Islam has always been spread by the sword...that's what the crusades in 635 were about. Muhammad was the first to launch a "crusade."

The Roman Catholic church launched crusades quite a bit later but they were not acting in concert with their faith...Christianity is not spread by the sword...that behavior is inconsistent with Christian belief.

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

The Bible says that any-one working on the sabbath should be put to death.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I guess since you quoted this you mean to infer that they are the same right?

Sure, the bible records the Israelite system of justice (for believers) that God laid out 3500 years ago, (between the ancient Israelites and God) but I guess I'm left with...so what?

How does that (Punishment for believers who violate the laws of their agreement) equate with the current mandate of the Quran that infidels (unbelievers) be put to death for not believing?

Please explain how you got there from here.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Wellheim wrote: "The Bible says that any-one working on the sabbath should be put to death."

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Without getting into some long theological discussion, there is a difference between Old Testament laws and the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Here is some information about the differences:

http://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_sabbath.htm

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

The problem is that this will fall on deaf ears; Wellheim isn't genuinely interested in the truth, but only to implicate Christianity. We aren't going to be allowed to define our own beliefs or interpretations of our own holy book...he only mentioned it as a club to bop us over the head with.

I could be wrong, I'm not psychic but that's my prediction. :)

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

May I have your permission to quote this on another site?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You don't need the OP's permission, this has been going around the internet for a while.

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

You couldn't be more wrong. As I've stated on another thread I've recenty obtained copies of "The Decleration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States" "The Bible" which I did read many years ago and now intend to re-read with out the influence of teachers with their own agenda, and "The Qur'an", which I have never read and suspect that not many using this site have either. I've done this so I don't have to rely on the misinformation posted in these threads. I do recall that in Exodus, Moses instructed the "Children of Isreal", to stone to death a goat herder not of their faith for collecting wood on the sabbath.

I would also be interested to know if you, (or any-one else) believes that the New Testament replaces or refines the older one.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I didn't say you wouldn't read it..only that you didn't post because you are some "neutral" truth seeker who will allow the Christian faith to define it's own terms, and beliefs...that's all.

And posting the thing about the death penalty for sabbath breaking is an illustration of that...if you were seeking the truth about what we believe, then you'd allow us to define it's context, tell you why that's not relevant to the conversation and then we'd move on.

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

In what way am I stopping you?

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

Would it really matter to you? Are you afraid of being stoned? Which is more important to you, going to church or mowing the lawn?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You didn't stop me...you posted something that you thought was the same as the Quran's position on what to do with infidels.

I explained that the two were categorically different...if you are fine with me letting you know what Christians believe and leaving it at that...I am too...

Is that the case? Now that you know that you've made a category error will you use that particular argument in the future?

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

Now you're confusing church with faith. Would it be so wrong to go to church in the morning and mow the lawn in the afternoon?

Seriously I'm not trying to stir up trouble here and I'm not looking for some ultimate truth. I'm just trying to understand what people believe and why. This approach could also help in the situation both our countries are in regarding the muslim situation.